1997 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay Magnum Winery: Leeuwin Estate Vintage: 1997 Region: Margaret River Bottle Size: 1500ml Variety: Chardonnay Price: $225.00 (out of stock)

Winemaker's Tasting Notes

Very cold wet winter with hail soon after budburst and leading up to flowering kept yields low in 1997. As the season progressed the rain kept coming and the vines grew with exceptional vigour. It dried up around Christmas and finished in ideal conditions.

The colour is bright straw yellow with hints of lime green. The immediate impact of the aroma is intense and smoky, but as the wine opens in the glass gorgeous scents of flowers, pears and spice arise, promising great power after some bottle maturation. The palate picks up on the spicy fruit note and is powerful and mouthfilling, even now showing great balance between the fruit flavours and acids with a gentle hint of French oak lengthening and intensifying the finish. Pear and hazelnuts are the predominant finishing and lingering flavours. A year of low yields, great balance and exceptional wines for us across the board.

A regal Chardonnay, rich in texture and dripping with gorgeous pear, pineapple, honey and spice flavours, gaining zingy citrus notes and touches of earth and mushroom on the long, long finish. Doesn't strike one harsh note while building its flavour profile sip by sip. Overall though, it's the razor's-edge balance that makes it fabulous. Drink now through 2007.

Wine Spectator Comments 31st December 2000 - 97 points

"As a result of tasting October 2000 1997 5 Stars - "A perfect expression of the marque" Back to its best, reminiscent of the great 1987, and produced from microscopic yields. Vibrant yellow-green, it has a complex array of melon, cashew, cream and fig aromas followed by a multi-layered and textured palate with seamless integration of fruit and oak. Developing slowly.

James Halliday

Comments featured on www.winepros.com.au, May 8th 2001